BUILDING RESILIENCE TO SMOG: A STUDY OF COMMUNITY COPING MECHANISMS IN LAHORE

Abstract

This research focuses how the communities in Lahore develop resilience in the face of smog, focusing on coping strategies developed to avoid adverse effects. Using mixed methodology including 125 surveys and 20 interviews, the study focused into coping strategies developed by various socio-economic groups while dealing with air pollution. Some of the major quantitative findings are that coping strategies relate significantly to the income because people are making a difference depending upon their incomes. High-income groups used air purifiers and wore masks as part of regular practices. Low-income families made reductions in outdoor activities to cope with the behavior adaptation. Psychological impacts were most noticeable over 50% said they started to feel growing anxiety and stress about health concerns. Better community solidarity, which often came within the low-income neighborhoods themselves, provided informal networks of support for this group. Qualitative insights further illuminate frustration with the government efforts by viewing the enforcement of air-quality regulations as ineffective and oriented towards public health campaigns only. The results point to a need for more integrated, holistic policy intervention to address the socio-economic imbalances in access rights to clean air resources and community-based resilience building. This study stresses the need for proactive and inclusive responses that may help in reducing the health risks associated with smog and, therefore enhance urban resilience in rapidly growing cities like Lahore.